Individual Tax-Preparation Checklist

Identity, household, and prior-return information

• Prior-year federal and state returns, including carryforward schedules
• Current legal names, dates of birth, taxpayer identification numbers, and contact information
• Dependent details, custody or support information, and identity-protection PINs when issued
• Bank information for an authorized refund deposit or tax payment

Income and payment records

Wait for complete, corrected tax forms when one is expected, and reconcile them with your own records. Income may still be reportable even when no information return arrives.

• Forms W-2, 1099, K-1, SSA-1099, and retirement or brokerage statements
• Business, rental, digital-asset, stock-option, and other transaction records
• Federal and state estimated-tax confirmations and extension payments
• Notices or correspondence connected to the filing year

Deductions, credits, and changes to flag

Not every item creates a deduction or credit. Eligibility depends on the tax year and your facts, so preserve the records and identify the question rather than assuming the result.

• Mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable gifts, and eligible medical or education records
• Retirement contributions, health coverage forms, and dependent-care information
• Home purchases or sales, moves between states, marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, or a death in the family
• Foreign accounts or income, multi-state work, and any new business or rental activity